Playpen for children



Sept. 1, 1953 A. E. SERRELL PLAYPEN FOR CHILDREN Filed May 2, 1950 [1 a fl w 6 @H 5 5: P 2 m ,1

WV NTOR Fig. 2.

Patented Sept. 1, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PLAYPEN FOR. CHILDREN Ann E. Serrell, West Hempstead, N. Y.

Application May 2, 1950, Serial No. 159,426

16 Claims.

This invention relates to a play pen for children.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a portable device of this character of a size, construction and configuration that enables the same to be readily managed.

Another object of the invention is to provide a play pen that is easily collapsed to a folded condition.

Another object of the invention is to provide a childs play pen that isso shaped and constructed as to make it usable in the corner of a room.

'One of the features of the invention resides in the utilization of closed fence parts in a childs play pen.

Another feature of the invention is in the provision of a device of this character having vertical hinge connected fence parts providing an enclosure of substantially right isosceles triangular horizontal cross section or right isosceles trapezoidal horizontal cross section.

Another feature of the invention is provided by a foldable seat connected to one of the solid and higher fence parts of the play pen.

Still a further feature of the invention resides in the provision of a play pen of the geometrical character noted having a single foldable fence part constituting the hypotenuse side of the geometrical enclosure.

Other objects, features and structural details of the invention will be apparent from the following description when read in relation to the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. l is a perspective view of a childs play pen constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view of the play pen taken in the vertical plane defined by the lines 2-2;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail section view taken in the plane defined by the lines 33, Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a detail perspective rear view showing the latch construction at the top of the half sections providing the front or open fence parts of the device; and

Fig. 5 is a plan view showing the device in folded condition.

My improved childs play pen is formed of a number of hingedly connected fence parts providing an enclosure of substantially isosceles triangular horizontal cross section. As shown in Fig. 1, in which the play pen is illustrated in an open condition for use, the device includes a pair of hingedly connected solid fence rigid parts I0 and II of equal length. The open fence foldable part of the device is provided by sections I2 and I3 of equal length each of which is shorter than the individual solid fence parts. The sections I2 and I3 of the device are hingedly connected together and are respectively suitably hinged to the solid fence sides I0 and II. Fence parts I0. and II constitute the isosceles sides of the enclosure. The fence part provided by sections. I2 and I3 constitutes the hypotenuse side of the enclosure.

In order to provide suflicient spacing of the fence parts Ill and II to accommodate the floor parts and sections I 2 and I3 therebetween in folded condition, I preferably construct the device to include an additional solid fence pa-rt as indicated at I4. This fencepart is parallel to the open fence part and if desired may be made longer than shown in the drawing in order to provide a larger play area. Fence part I4 should, however, be materially shorter than the solid fence parts Ill and I I. By using a suitable elastic or spacing hinge connection between parts Ill and II, the solid fence. part I4 could be eliminated and the device could then open to a triangular horizontal cross section. In collapsed or folded condition, the hinges. between parts I!) and H could reach sufficiently to accommodate the floor parts and sections I2 and I3 therebetween. The preferred construction is one Where the angular relationbetween fence parts I0 and II is degrees so that a horizontal section of the device is either a right isosceles triangle or a right isosceles trapezoid.

In accordance with the invention, the solid fence parts III, II and I4 are higher than the open fence part to protect the walls of the room in which the play pen is used. The perpendicularly disposed solid fence parts of the device fit into the corner of the room. For outside use, the solid parts of the playpen provide a suitable windbreak.

Elevating feet or posts I5, I6 and H, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, may be provided in the respective corner positions of the play pen each of which has a suitable end caster so that the device is easily rolled where desired.

In accordance with the invention, the right isosceles triangular or trapezoidal floor of the device is formed in two parts of equal size as designated at I 3 and I 9. Floor part I8 is suitably hinged to the bottom of open fence section I2. The floor part I 9 is hinged to the bottom of open fence section I3. As shown, the horizontally pivoted or hinged floor parts are movable simultaneously by a pair of juxtaposed pedals 20 and 2I which extend forwardly of the open fence part of the play pen. The pedals are suitably connected or fixed to the underside of the respective floor parts I8 and I9. In collapsing the device to a folded condition, the pedals 20, 2| are operated together or independently to move the respective floor parts about the hinges thereof and raise the parts from a horizontal position. Preferably, the pedals are operated together and as the floor parts I8 and I9 raise, the pedals are pushed inwardly to start folding the fence sections I2 and I3 at the same time. The operator removes his or her foot and completes the operation by moving the parts I0 and I I together with his hands, the device then assuming a folded condition with the parts arranged as shown in Fig. 5. The improved play pen includes a single foldable fence part with a central vertical hinge, such part constituting the hypotenuse side of the provided geometrical enclosure. When the play pen is collapsed, the two sections of equal length of the foldable fence part constituting the hypotenuse side fit between the folded rigid fence parts constituting the isosceles sides of the enclosure.

An addition post 22 and caster may be provided to strengthen the device at the middle of the open fenceside. As shown, post 22 may be centrally connectedto the bottom of side section I2. I

The improved play pen includes a substantially right isosceles triangular or trapezoidal floor formed of two parts of equal size as designated at I8 and I9.

In accordance with the invention, a seat 23 is foldably connected to one of the solid fence parts of the device.

As shown in Fig. 4, a suitable disengageable fastening is provided to hold the top portion of the open fence sections I2 and I3 in straight extended relation. This fastening, as shown, may be provided by a suitable latch 24 and pin 25 on the side of the respective open fence sections opposite the top hinge connection thereof.

The solid fence parts I0 and I I include suitable inside blocks. as indicated at 26 and 21 for part II, in Fig. 2, to support the floor sections I8 and IS in a horizontal position.

Since many changes could be made in the above construction and many apparently widely different embodiments of this invention could be I made without departing from the scope thereof,

pit is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. A collapsible play pen with vertical hinge connected fence parts defining an enclosure of substantially right isosceles triangular horizontal cross section having two rigid fence parts constituting the isosceles sides of the triangular enclosure, and a'single foldable fence part having a central vertical hinge constituting the hypotenuse side of the triangular enclosure, said fence parts being so connected that the pen collapses with two sections of equal length of the hypotenuse side fence part fitting between the folded rigid fence parts.

2. A collapsible play pen with vertical hinge connected fence parts defining an enclosure of substantially right isosceles triangular horizontal cross section having two rigid solid fence parts constituting the isosceles sides of the triangular enclosure, and a single foldable open fence part having a central vertical hinge constituting the hypotenuse side of the triangular enclosure, the solid fence parts being higher than the open fence part, the fence parts being so connected that the pen collapses with two sections of equal length of the folded open fence part fitting between the folded rigid solid fence parts.

3. A collapsible play pen with vertical hinge connected fence parts providing an enclosure of right isosceles trapezoidal horizontal cross section having a short rigid fence part constituting the short parallel side of the trapezoidal enclosure, two rigid fence parts constituting the isosceles sides of the trapezoidal enclosure, and a single foldable fence part having a central vertical hinge constituting the hypotenuse and long parallel side of the trapezoidal enclosure, the fence parts being so connected that the pen collapses with two sections of equal length of the folded long parallel fence part fitting between the folded rigid isosceles fence parts.

4. A collapsible play pen with vertical hinge connected fence parts providing an enclosure of right isosceles trapezoidal horizontal cross section having a short rigid solid fence part constituting the short parallel side of the trapezoidal enclosure, two rigid solid fence parts constituting the isosceles sides of the trapezoidal en- .closure, and a single foldable open fence part having a central vertical hinge constituting the hypotenuse and long parallel side of the trapezoidal enclosure, the solid fence parts being higher than the open fence part, the fence parts being so connected that'the pen collapses with two sections of equal length of the folded open fence part fitting between the folded rigid isosceles fence parts.

5. A play pen having hingedly connected fence parts providing an enclosure of substantially right isosceles triangular horizontal cross section, the fence part constituting the hypotenuse side of the triangular enclosure being open, and the,

isosceles triangular floor formed of two parts of equal size, one of said floor parts being horizontally hinged at the bottom of one of said sections and the other of said floor parts being hori- Zzontally hinged at the bottom of the other of said sections.

7. In a play pen having fence parts providing an enclosure of right isosceles trapezoidal horizontal cross section, the combination of, a foldable fence part formed of two sections of equal \length constituting the hypotenuse side of the enclosure, and a right isosceles trapezoidal floor formed of two parts of equal size, one of said floor parts being horizontally hinged at the bottom of one of said sections and the other of said floor parts being horizontally hinged at the bottom of the other of said sections.

8. A play pen having three rigid fence parts, and a single foldable fence part providing an enclosure of right isosceles trapezoidal horizontal cross section, said foldable fence part being formed of two sections of equal length constituting the hypotenuse side of the enclosure.

9. A play pen having three rigid solid fence viding an enclosure of right isosceles trapezoidal horizontal cross section, said foldable fence part being formed of two sections of equal length constituting the hypotenuse side of the enclosure, said solid fence parts being higher than said open fence part.

10. In a play pen having fence parts providing an enclosure of substantially right isosceles triangular horizontal cross section, the combination of, a foldable fence part formed of two sections of equal length constituting the hypotenuse side of the enclosure, a right triangular floor part horizontally hinged at the bottom of one of said sections, a second right triangular floor part horizontally hinged at the bottom of the other of said sections, and a pair of juxtaposed pedals, one of which is connected to one of the floor parts, and the other of which is connected to the other of the floor parts.

11. A play pen having two rigid solid fence parts and a single foldable open fence part providing an enclosure of right isosceles triangular horizontal cross section, said rigid solid fence parts constituting the isosceles sides of the enclosure, said open fence part being formed of two sections of equal length constituting the hypotenuse side of the enclosure, said solid fence parts being higher than said open fence part, a right isosceles triangular floor formed of two parts of equal size, one of said floor parts being horizontally hinged at the bottom of one of said open fence part sections and the other of said floor parts being horizontally hinged at the bottom of the other of said open fence part sections, and a pair of juxtaposed pedals, one of which is connected to one of the floor parts and the other of which is connected to the other of the floor parts.

12. A play pen of the character claimed in claim 11 including a seat foldably connected to one of said solid fence parts.

13. A play pen having three rigid solid fence parts and a single foldable open fence part providing an enclosure of right isosceles trapezoidal horizontal cross section, two of said rigid solid fence parts constituting the isosceles sides of the enclosure, and the third solid fence part constituting the short parallel side of the enclosure, said open fence part being formed of two sections of equal length constituting the long parallel and hypotenuse side of the enclosure, said solid fence parts being higher than said open fence part, a right isosceles trapezoidal floor formed of two parts of equal size, one of said floor parts being horizontally hinged at the bottom of one of said open fence part sections and the other of said floor parts being horizontally hinged at the bottom of the other of said open fence part sections, and a pair of juxtaposed pedals, one of which is connected to one of the floor parts and the other of which is connected to the other of the floor parts.

14. A play pen of the character claimed in claim 13, including a seat foldably connected to one of said solid fence parts.

15. A play pen of the character claimed in claim 2, including a seat foldably connected to one of said isosceles sides.

16. A play pen of the character claimed in claim 4, including a seat foldably connected to one of said isosceles sides.

ANN E. SERRELL.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 198,155 Reed Dec. 11, 1877 1,440,943 Szabo Jan. 2, 1923 2,043,072 Schmitt June 2, 1936 2,308,608 Kennedy Jan. 19, 1943 2,430,704 Brown Nov. 11, 1947 2,477,231 Bourdon July 26, 1949 2,489,188 Landry Nov. 22, 1949 2,518,904 King Aug. 15, 1950 2,523,124 Landry Sept. 19, 1950 

